April 10, 2024

It’s the Best Time of Year for Birds and Birders! Audubon Offers FREE Guided Bird Walks in May

May 2022 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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It’s the Best Time of Year for Birds and Birders!
Audubon Offers FREE Guided Bird Walks in May
May 2022 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

(April 4, 2022) – May brings the best birding of the year! Grab your binoculars and search for spring migrants with Audubon!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online and view a complete listing of programs through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Free May Birding Walks With Audubon
Spring bird migration is here, with different species moving through each week. Audubon offers FREE birding walks throughout the month of May. These walks are geared for teen to adult, and novice birders are welcome. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Sundays
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2022; 7:00-8:30 am

Mondays
Fort Nature Refuge, (Rt. 5), 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 2022; 8:00-10:00 am
Note: No walk will be held on Memorial Day, May 30.

Tuesdays
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2820 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 2022; 8:00 am-10:00 am

Wednesdays
Locations determined weekly, please register online through the events calendar as www.asri.org/calendar 

Thursdays (Three locations, see below)
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI
May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2022; 8:00-10:00 am.

Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI
May 5, 19, 2022; 9:30 am-12:00 pm
This walk is geared toward beginning birders.

Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton, RI
May 12, 26, 2022; 9:30 am-12:00 pm
This walk is geared toward beginning birders.

Fridays
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
May 6, 13, 20, 27

Saturdays (Two dates and locations)
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
May 21, 2022 9:00-11:00 am

Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA
May 28 9:00-11:00 am

Birding with Your Kids
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
May 7, 2022; 9:00-11:00 am. Free. Ages: 6 and up.

Spring Herbal Walk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 1, 2022; 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Join Audubon naturalist and herbalist Tina Lidano on a springtime herbal walk. Learn to identify the plants that are just starting to appear and learn about their medicinal and ecological benefits.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Mother's Day Paper-Crafting Workshop
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 1, 2022; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Join the fun in a Mother's Day-themed paper-crafting workshop with Michelle Hirsh-Solis. Create four notecards and a matching gift box, perfect for Mother's Day gifting! Designs use a variety of techniques. Materials are provided and all skill levels welcome. Come alone or bring along a friend. Registrants will go home with a gift-box and four enclosed notecards.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $15/member, $20/non-member Ages: 10 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Becorns
Photography Exhibit by David M Bird
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 4 – July 2, 2022; 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
David M Bird is a photographer and toy designer based in Wakefield, RI. His photography conjures a whimsical world where acorn creatures grow on trees, feed birds, and defend themselves against squirrel attacks. To achieve this, he builds creatures out of acorns and sticks, then photographs them in the wild with real animals. This process evolved from his years as a designer for Lego where he learned to build characters and tell stories with bricks. Now he does the same, but with sticks. David was recently featured in the February 21, 2022 issue of People Magazine. Learn more at www.davidmbird.com 
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 7, 2022; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
Citizens Free Family Fun Day: Spring Garden Visitors
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Take Home Craft Bags
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am & 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Pollinator Exploration – Bring the kids for a guided stroll through the Audubon pollinator garden to search for native pollinators and the plants they depend on.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Free. Ages: All.

Spring Birding on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
May 12, 2022; 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
The spring bird migration will be in full swing by mid-May, and Prudence Island is a wonderful place to see a wide variety of species thanks to the diversity of habitats. Explore forest edges, marshes, meadows and anywhere else the birding looks good.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12 member adult/ $6 member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: Teen to Adult. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Purple Martins!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 14, 2022; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Purple Martins are a fascinating species. Join Audubon for a presentation on these unique birds and enjoy a short walk to the field to observe the resident Purple Martins as they roost on their gourd-shaped houses. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 12 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Spring Garden Walk: Creating a Pollinator Friendly Garden at Home
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 14, 2022; 9:30 – 10: 30 am
Come to Audubon for a guided walk through the beautiful pollinator garden, led by Audubon garden expert Barry Cohen. Discuss the garden plants, the pollinators they encourage, and how you can create a pollinator-friendly garden in your own yard. Take a home a seed bag starter kit for your garden.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Spring Birding Van Trip
Visit Birding Locations Across the State
May 16, 2022; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Climb aboard the Audubon van and explore the many birding hot spots of Rhode Island during this exciting time of the year. Warblers, vireos and other spring beauties will make for an unforgettable trip. Visit many favorite birding spots, as well as some lesser-known locations. Be sure to pack a lunch and bring your binoculars. Note: Proof of vaccination and masks are required for all participants on Audubon van trips.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: Other; $50/member, $65/non-member. Ages: 14 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Gardening and Landscaping for Wildlife: Lecture
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
May 19, 2022; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Refuge manager and gardener, Kim Calcagno, will introduce participants to gardening techniques, design ideas, and plant choices for attracting birds, pollinators, and other creatures to their yards. Considerations for wind and water as well as use of native plants will be discussed. Tips and techniques for deterring unwanted critters will also be offered. Learn how transform your landscape into healthy habitat!
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Bird Banding
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 21, 2022; 9:15 – 11:15 am
Join Audubon for a bird banding demonstration in which experts capture, band, measure, and release songbirds in order to gather data on their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in Audubon’s shrubby habitats. The techniques of identifying, measuring, weighing, and banding the birds will be demonstrated before they are released. The migratory habits and life history of each captured species will be discussed.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Turtle Time with Audubon!
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
May 21, 2022; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Have fun learning about local turtle species and their habitats. Meet Otto and Speedy, the Caratunk turtles, and then take a short hike to spot wild turtles in the pond! Please dress for the weather and bring a face mask.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member adult/child pair, $5/each additional member; $12/non-member adult/child pair; $7/each additional non-member. Ages: 5 and up. Register through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar

Memorial Day Nature Activities
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
May 30, 2022; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Start the summer off right at Audubon! Bring the kids for up-close animal encounters, a shore exploration, crafts and more. No registration required.
10:00am -3:00 pm: Take Home Craft Bags
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am & 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Shore Hike
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Prudence Island
Private Adventure with Friends and Family
Spend the day exploring beautiful and charming Prudence Island with education staff from the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve. With over three-quarters of the island protected, and a variety of habitats to explore, there are endless options for an outdoor friends and family adventure! The experience can be designed with your group’s interests and ages in mind – activities could include birding, viewing harbor seals hauled out on nearshore rocks, beachcombing, hiking the woodland trails, learning about island history – you get to choose! Please note face masks are required, regardless of vaccination status, while riding in the van.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee*: $12/member adult, $6/member child; $15/non-member adult, $8 non-member child. Contact: Maureen Dewire at Maureen.Dewire@dem.ri.gov  or by phone at 401-683-1478. *Cost does not include round-trip ferry travel.

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